From Steinbach to Singapore...

My list of retailers is growing. I'm happy to announce that you can now shop for Small Potatoes gear in Steinbach, Manitoba at Young and Trendy located in Clearspring Centre. The much-loved store also includes a photo studio and a range of clothing for children of all ages.

And adding to my list of international retailers, an online shop in Singapore called Little Olive Tree will soon be opening their doors.

Green Design

Botanical Paperworks hired me to design some birth announcement cards and wedding invitations.

Each of these unique announcements and invitations are printed on handmade, plantable seed paper. This special paper, called Garden Greetings and available exclusively from Botanical PaperWorks, grows wildflowers when the paper is planted. Simply put the seed paper in a pot of soil and the wildflower seeds will germinate and grow into beautiful plants.

Click here to see more birth announcements and wedding invitations.

National Exposure

Was I ever surprised to see one of my bibs (my favourite, to be honest) featured in the recent "Moms & Tots" section of Glow Magazine's Holiday Gift Guide, courtesy of Leah at Elephant Shoe. So cool!

Calling all Canadian Shoppers

I just found out that Small Potatoes has been listed on a Truly Canadian Made website. It is a cross-Canada arts site for Canadian-made products, to help frustrated on-line shoppers. Check it out here.

Baby Bin Boutique Night

I just wanted to start of by sending out an enormous thank-you to all of you who were able to come out and support Small Potatoes at Scattered Seeds this weekend. You helped to make it one of my most successful events ever!

Also, I want to remind you about tonight's event at the Baby Bin Boutique. I hope you can make it, it should be a fun evening out!

Come join me and the incredible staff at the Baby Bin Boutique for an evening of exciting new products, baby wearing demonstrations, refreshments, and instore specials!

When: Wednesday October 22nd @ 7pm-9pm.
Where: 1444 Corydon Avenue

To RSVP, please call the Baby Bin at 487-4687, or email jenn@babybin.ca if you plan on joining us for a night of fun! Space is limited, so sign up today!

See you there!

It's the most wonderful time of the year (almost!)

Looking for something unique and handmade? If you like to get in the holiday spirit early, Small Potatoes is going to be at Winnipeg's two largest Christmas craft sales. Come check us out!

• Scattered Seeds Christmas Craft Show and Sale - booth 323
  October 16-19, 2008, Assiniboia Downs click here for details
• Winnipeg Signatures Christmas Show
  November 20 - 23, Winnipeg Convention Centre click here for details

Harvest time at Small Potatoes

Though the flowers are still blooming it is officially starting to feel like Fall. It was a very busy summer for Small Potatoes, so busy in fact that I haven't posted in quite some time.

What's new you ask? Well, for starters, I'm really excited to announce some gorgeous new fabrics that I think you'll love. Fun florals and little birdies make these new fabrics extra fun for little ones. Available in most products.

Also, just in time for the cold weather season, I'm thrilled to announce a brand new must-have product for babies and big kids of all ages, the Small Potatoes Mitten Leashes. Available in the same great ribbons you love on our Binky Leashes, these little straps will keep your child's mittens where they should be - within reach! Retailing at just $10 for a pair, get yours now before the weather outside turns frightful. Shipping October 1st.

Black is the new black

Small Potatoes now offers solid black slings. Since these pouch style baby slings are reversible, you have your choice of colours for the reverse side. Choose from the following trendy fashion colours:

Click here for more details about Small Potatoes slings.

Mei Tais have arrived!

I'm pleased to announce the new Small Potatoes Mei Tai Baby Carriers.

What's a Mei Tai?
A ”Mei tai” (pronounced “may tie”) is a traditional Asian-style baby carrier with roots that stretch back hundreds of years. Mothers would tie their babies onto their bodies with a square or rectangle-shaped fabric with straps on all four corners.

The Small Potatoes Mei Tai Baby Carrier carries on that tradition with updated features such as padded straps and body, which offer supreme comfort, and modern fabric prints to show off your tasteful sense of style.

There are a variety of ways to wear your baby with a Mei Tai and with every Small Potatoes Mei Tai you will receive an instruction booklet which shows a few of the different "carries".

These premium baby carriers are being introduced exclusively at The Baby Bin Boutique in Winnipeg. The Baby Bin is carrying eight different fabrics, with more coming next month. Please try one on today, the lovely ladies at the Baby Bin will be happy to help you find one that's right for you.

Mei Tais will be officially launched on the Small Potatoes online shop this fall.

Super nice Zonnehoedjes!

Small Potatoes goes international! The brilliant children's shop Family Affair in Leuven, Belgium is now selling my hats. Check out their site for a peek at their amazing products. To see the poorly Google-translated version of their blog and see what they say about the hats (July 11), click here.

Sun dresses

I received some absolutely adorable photos and wonderful compliments from the mother of these two little sweet hearts. I posted a photo on my gallery but thought the other photos were too good to keep to myself. I thought I'd share her comments too:

Thanks for the cute little dresses. As soon as the girls saw them, there was no question, they had to wear them today. Laney said "Um, I think I need to wear this dress for five days please". They look really cute. We were out and about today and we got lots of comments on them.
Thanks again!

All fested out!

Well, the Winnipeg Folk Festival was a great success! Well, most of it was. (Let's not talk about the rain ALL DAY on Saturday. Or the gale force wind. Ahem.) Sunday was absolutely beautiful and I must thank everyone who came out with a big smile on your face. You really can't find a more friendly crowd of people. Besides all the wonderful customers, both new and old, that I met at the weekend long event, the highlights for me were 1) the woman who complimented my products by calling them "not hideously hippy-ish like the rest of the stuff for sale here" and 2) the 3-year-old who walked by humming the theme song of Star Wars into a kazoo. Oh, and 3) the amazing Common Ground wraps and Taste of Sri Lanka rotis. Unfortunately I didn't get to enjoy any of the music but I heard wonderful things from many sources. Thanks again everyone, I'll see you there next year!

Get your Folk on!

I'm hanging the "gone folking" sign on the Small Potatoes door for a few days while I am out at Birds Hill Park for the 35th annual Winnipeg Folk Festival. As anyone who's been to the festival knows, it's a unique festival with amazing music and good times.

I will be setting up shop in the festival's Handmade Village as part of a collection of about 50 artisans from Manitoba and across Canada, who sell their creations including: clothing, ceramics, jewellery and woodworking.

Come out on to hear the fabulous music, taste the food (mmm... whales tails!) and come say "hi" to me in booth #38.

Please cross your fingers for good weather!

For tickets and info, visit http://www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca
And for a list of other artisans in the Handmade Village, visit http://www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca/wp/festival/hand-made-village/

Do you buy Canadian?

Join in the fun with other Canadians in the Ultimate "I Buy Canadian" Blog Party. Celebrate Canada Day by sharing stories about why you buy Canadian. There are great prizes to be won including a Penny Lane nursing cover from Small Potatoes.

Sweet Review

Check out the sweet review from the fabulous folks at sweetmama.ca - a Canadian newsletter for stylish and functional products for moms and babies. Sign up for their free "Sweet Nothing" newsletter for a weekly peek at sweet finds across the country or in your area.

Dad's Day!

Hitch up that belt, pull your sandals on over your socks and dust off your best "dad jokes", it's your special day! Happy Father's Day to all the daddies out there!

Here comes my baby!

My website has come to life!

The eight little superstars who shined for me in front of the camera have brought the Small Potatoes website to life. They model the clothing and accessories like pros! I'm so happy to be able to share their cute little faces with everyone. Now you can tell just how well the burp cloth protect your clothes, how long (and cute!) the dresses are. Oh, and just how versatile the slings are. Not to mention how well they hold a toddler who wants to hang upside down. (Please don't try this at home unless you're a trained professional.) I know that when I am shopping on-line, the more I can tell, up front, about a product the better so I hope you enjoy the new photos too.

Small Potatoes Superstars

Last week I had the most fun photoshoot ever! Eight beautiful babies all wonderfully (yet surprisingly) happy, showing off their stuff in front of Ian McCausland's camera. I couldn't have been more thrilled with all the young talent. Though it was a bit chaotic, there were no divas here, everyone seemed to be in a good mood and ready for their close-ups! Ian's brilliant photos will be used in upcoming Small Potatoes marketing material but you can see a sneak peek at some of the behind-the-scenes shots here.

Scattered Seeds

Making my debut at Scattered Seeds this spring, I was thrilled to be able to introduce my line of Small Potatoes products to many new faces. Held at Assiniboia Downs in April, this large-scale craft and art show was an ideal setting for showcasing my handmade baby products. Some of my favourite vendors at this show were my booth-mate, Dudes by Bebot, Bisou Bath & Body, Sienna Canvas Paintings, St. James Rubber Stamps, Stellar Designs Jewelry, Michaud Toys, and the guy who sells the most amazing chip dip. Here are some pics of my booth at the show.

Thanks for taking the photos, Mariver!